A FIRST-HALF strike by Charlie MacDonald proved enough to extend Gravesend's winning streak to four in a match in which they were forced to hold out.

Gravesend's top scorer pounced for Liam Daish's men in what was their only real chance of the game against a Morecambe team seriously lacking a cutting edge up front.

Indeed, they only seriously extended Gravesend keeper Craig Holloway once, with Garry Thompson denied by a fine save in the second half, and interim manager Sammy McIlroy will have been disappointed by what was offered up by his side as they their own streak of three consecutive league wins came to an end.

Morecambe had the first chance of the game after a foul by Ross Graham-Smith on Thompson presented Michael Twiss with a free-kick.

However, his right-foot effort from 20 yards was blocked by James Smith before it was Gravesend's chance to try their luck from a set piece. Darren Kempson was booked for bringing down Omari Coleman 25 yards from goal, but MacDonald's shot was blocked by Brett Johnson.

But what had been a first half devoid of real chances was turned on its head when Gravesend scored with the game's first shot on target.

An inswinging corner by Bradley Johnson was headed home by MacDonald from the left-side of the six-yard box, taking him to double figures.

Twiss came close to levelling matters for Morecambe just before half-time but his left-foot strike from 20 yards was tipped over the crossbar by Gravesend keeper Craig Holloway, who then watched Ged Brannan's effort from distance sail over. Thompson drilled another 25-yard free-kick over the crossbar early in the second half for Morecambe with the home side battling to hold onto their lead, Graham-Smith and Jay Saunders going into the referee's notebook.

Danny Carlton was busy probing away for Morecambe but the game had descended into a scrappy affair with each team trading throw-ins.

Finally, though, Holloway was called into some serious action in the Gravesend goal and despite being severely underworked he was alert when it mattered to deny Morecambe.

Thompson drilled in a shot from the right-side of the penalty area but Holloway was more than a match for it, pulling off a fantastic save to parry the ball away for a corner which was comfortably cleared by Saunders.

Morecambe were attempting to turn the screw and Twiss fired wide from 12 yards before Wayne Curtis' right-foot shot was fielded by Holloway.

However, it was a comfortable close to the game for the hosts with sub Kieron Walmsley's blocked free-kick the only late chance for Morecambe.